Easier to start new threads than have old ones that get so long. FRESH NEWS = FRESH THREAD

First Royal Malewane is out for a group plan

We have exactly 34 bookings which was the maximum we could accommodate orginally. Cant believe the number came in to that exact number.

34 people is still the maximum in the main group but because of the new plan if some people select other camps by choice we could accommodate more. There will be people who cancel of course and a waitlist will probably clear.

Deposit terms
Deposit changed to $1000 per booking single or double occupany (less than 20% originally) $250 cancel fee once booked however, this can be waived if I resell the space. No cancel fees were incurred with ROAR or TUSK.

New Plan!

We will have one group go to Madikwe Hills and one group go to Leopard Hills. Then we switch.

Since the overwhelming majority want the Leopard Hills/Madikwe Hills option this it the best way to handle the safari and accomodate everyone.

Kings Camp, Singita and Mateya
Since Madikwe Hills holds 24 and Leopard Hills holds 16 this will allow us that extra room at Madikwe Hills to accommodate 8 people who prefer Kings Camp for the savings or Singta for the ultimate luxury. These people would just have to be willing to be either alone or with a smaller group for three days of the safari. Same with Mateya. If anyone wants to experience Mateya then we can accommodate that very easily as well. It is not a problem for me to make these individual arrangements.

Thank you for all the booking forms it really helped define where we are and where we needed to go. Would have been impossible without them.

I hope this new plan meets everyones needs so we all are getting the experience we want.

Dates are set - I will leave this out there for a few days to be sure that everyone is comfortable with the new arrangement and then I will confirm space at the Camps and Birkenhead House.

Excellent answer, Ngaire. Do you have a proposal for how to group those who are staying three nights at the last camp vs. those who are staying four nights?

Cheers, Anne

Ngaire, wonderful plan!!!!

I have the same question as Anne.

My thoughts are that those that are staying four nights at the last camp instead of three nights like the rest of the group, should have the option of chosing the order of the camps so that they do get to spend that extra day at the camp they prefer.

It is not absolutely necessary that those that are staying four nights be in the same camps. If one wants Madikwe Hills and another wants Leopard Hills we could accommodate those wishes. However it would be much easier for charter planes etc if they were at the same camp.

First I need to define WHO the people are that will be staying 4 nights and the name of the camp where they prefer to spend that extra time. Lets see how it works out. I am assuming Leopard Hills would be the choice for the extra night as it is the most expensive camp and therefore offers a better perceived value.

I think assigning exactly who is in each of the two groups and what camp they start with at this time is premature. Many who are booked now will cancel, and a waitlist will develop and things will change tremendously in the next two years.

This assignment of groups can be 18 months from now. If we do it now I will be working on that list for 18 months.

So if you could post here or email me and tell me if you wish for 4 nights at the end and the camp where you prefer to spend that extra night we will see how it works out.

Earlier there was talk of going to Madikwe first with regards to taking Malaria pills for a shorter time. I did not comment but went along with that, but the truth is that no matter what order you go to the camps IF you chose take antimalarial drugs you will need them for 12 days either way. It really makes no difference.
2 days before, 3 days - 4 days in the malaria area, 7 days after you leave the area.

I assume we are 100% set with the dates as outlined originally unless I hear to the contrary.

4 days for us. haven't decided on camps yet...waiting on final prices.

3 and 3 here

3+3 for us

3+3 here too

Ngaire - I like the ground rule proposed for determining the order of camp visits (i.e., preference as to sequence for those who want four nights at the last camp). We're happy with either order

It's my bad about starting the "minimize the Malarone" idea. The current set of dates and the plan to swap camps means I can figure that out without involving everyone else. So .. no more need to discuss malarone. Whew!! All this and a working computer. Life is looking up, Ngaire.

3 and 3 for us
3 and 3 for Michele & Don

Cheers, Anne

3 and 3 for us, too.

Anne, if you end up looking into Boulders for two days, let us know.

3 + 3 most likely for us too.

Undecided - on 3+3 vs 3+4, it will depend on what we do pre or post. Will do a little research on Botswana/Namibia logistics and then decide.

Carol and I would prefer to do 3 nights at Madikwe Hills first and 4 nights at Leopard Hills last, if that works for the overall schedule. Just so you have an idea.

Thanks, if anyone else has not posted here this is a good place for me to get a handle on the 4 night at the end business. Please post. Sent an email? I have that no problem.

All the 4 nighters want Leopard Hills last, that makes the MOST sense it is the more expensive property. Actually I doubt anyone will want it the other way. So 4 nighters will be in the Madiwke first Leopard HIlls second unless they tell me to the contrary.

Also will consider everyone in the main group camps Madikwe Hills/Leopard Hills unless you request otherwise. You do have a long time to decide if you want something different.

Also - talked directly to Cape Town today and said "It is a pain to send down these copies of credit cards" It is silly really, they have all that information. Every time I have to go through this nonsense. So I used this group as my "big stick". THEY AGREED. So I will shred the ones I have and no one else needs to send that if you were trying to get that done.

NOW - let me go see if we have these camps for these days -- keep your fingers crossed wouldnt it be the pits if one camp was not available.

GREAT WORK TEAM --- really this is a credit to this group to pull something like this together so quickly.

The credit card xerox requirement certainly makes no sense with a group - companies do that for a layer of fraud protection - but with a group controlled by an agent it is just nuts to think there is a fraud risk! And asking for the "color" of the card is even more weird :eek: .

hahahahaha...Leslie, I thought that "color of the card" question was bizarre too! :eek:

They should worry more about the color of our bank accounts!

Cheers, Anne

Just opened a really good bottle of SOuth African Wine from the Western Cape, Goats Do Roam, in honor of my decision to go for the 3 + 4.

Congratulations Gil! I'd love to be sipping some of that good wine with you!

That is a great wine, we had some Goats do Roam with friends a few weeks ago!!!

Gil and Arlene: Enjoy!!! You have much to celebrate -

Gil and Arlene, good for you for your decision. I love the names for wines these days. Just found this on a website:

"There's also Screw Kappa Nappa and Smoking Loon from Napa Valley's Don Sebastiani & Sons. Mad Housewife is offered by Rainier Wine of Bellevue, Washington. Dog House is marketed by Kendall-Jackson. Goats do Roam, supposedly a bargain at $10..."

Enjoy! Great decision. Cheers, Anne

If any of you are thinking of a few more nights at a ultra luxury camp check out Lions Sands Ivory Lodge.

That is the place we went to visit in the helicopter from Singita. It is one incredible place right across the river from Kruger, private land and unbelievable rooms. Only six rooms at the property. This is in Sabi Sands and the low season rates run through September 30th.

This is ONE fancy place with great game viewing. On the way from the helicopter to lunch we saw two leopard, (Ken's picture of the leopard drinking) rhino and giraffe in 15 minutes. May have been lucky but wow it was impressive, I asked how much they paid the animals for that performance!!! Super nice involved private owner on the property. Land been in their family for years.

Really worth checking out. So small for a group but I AM GOING to stay there at some point.

I know Singita may beckon also.

too many decisions...oh and Gil opened the Goats Do Roam without me. can you believe that??? <img border="0" alt="[c]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

Ngaire, you're making the decisions harder and harder. BTW: My friend Gemma definitely wants to do the trip and is just waiting for your printed materials.

The Lion Sands option would mean another 2 nights really and that adds up to lots more $$$ at a game park. This would really only be an option for those that wanted to stay that much longer and also spend that much more money.

I need to send Gemma the paperwork via email then.

Actually we are now oversold, I miscounted because once I had a computer and I could put my spreadsheet together I realised I had some singles that need a room each. Number of people right, number of rooms not right.

NOT TO WORRY - there are (a) bound to be cancellations and (B) there are other good options for a second camp in the Sabi Sands area if it does not need to be so big. We can accommodate 22 (I need a room) at Madikwe and only 16 at Leopard Hills. That means two groups of six could go elsewhere if needed. Perfect number for a Land Rover of their own so you dont take pot luck with whoever else is at the camp.

I actually like that this group is in two groups because when you have so many people it gets to be too many no matter how wonderful they are. A ship is different the numbers can be high and it all works so well. Land is a different thing. This way the maximum together is 24 at Madiwke Hills.

The only crazy time will be getting through Cape Town airport to Johannesburg. I am going to get extra people from Ker and Downey to assist at the airport so we split up into smaller groups that will make it much easier.

Once we are in the Federal Air Charter's hands life is easy.

I am confident all who want to come will get accommodated. First choice goes to those first booked for Leopard Hills of course.

I will send her the forms Arlene by email, she sounded like a really nice person on the phone.

I started to think about FRED and PAT. They are on WAVE and were so disappointed when they had to cancel ROAR. I tried to email them I hope they pick up their email on the ship.

Ngaire:

I am hesitant to ask about the "extra" days at Madikwe/Leopard. Currently, you are thinking that we can get the book five days and get sixth for free. You mentioned on another post that they also have a deal where you book six days and get seventh and eighth for free. Therefore, if we want to go 3+4, aren't we booking six days and therefore should have another "free" day? Can we just go 3+4 and they prorate the deal?

If, to take advantage of this, should we actually plan on 3+5? Five days seems too long at any one game park.

Have I missed something?

thanks,

There's still plenty of Goats Do Roam left - had only a single glass with the Filet I decided to make tonight.
Very intersting story about that wine - created by Americans who left the US to help out caring for orphans in Namibia due to AIDS. Needed money to continue their work.

I never heard of it - such a strange name. Had it in a restaurant while in Toronto & made sure I wrote the name down. Came back to NY, went into a small wine store here, and when the guy asked if he could help me I said "I'm sure you don't have "Goats Do Roam," and he pointed me to the last bottle on the shelf! TOld me it was highly rated & very popular.
Mentioned it to other friends who did an Africa trip & they visited the vineyard on their vacation.

No sorry Marc. I already asked that question.

The deal is stay 6 nights and pay for 5 or stay 8 nights and pay for 6. Thats the offer.

I think that 5 nights is too long at one camp personally.

Change of terrain makes a big difference, keeps it interesting. 4 nights is maximum at a camp in my opinion.

Actually if enough of you wanted that 4x4 option since there is a daily charter flight to Madikwe you could fly up a day early to spend the one night before the main group without needing the B&K charter - then you get 4 nights there and then you come down to Leopard Hills with the main group on that charter and spend 4 nights there. That would not be difficult at all for me to handle.

The only thing is this would mess with would be Birkenhead House. However, that is also possible, instead of coming into Birkenhead the 18, 19 you could easily do 17,18 at Birkenhead.The main Cape Town group is there 15, 16 and we do not have the house on the 17th. This is a free day inbetween the two groups. Then fly to Madikwe arrving one day before the main group on the 19th.

Lots of possibilities. This is a very viable option.

8 nights is just a lot of nights in a camp with only two changes of venue. Changing the camp and land you drive really keeps it exciting. Ken and I have done so many nights in a row I cannot tell you BUT as soon as you go to a new place you get energized. Personally to me 3 nights at each place is perfect. 2 works and 5 is too many.

You do get tired of the early mornings and yet HOW do you NOT go on a game drive. Not easy to stay behind. Of course you can always as a group in a land rover tell your ranger that the next morning you dont want to leave until later, your choice.

I did hear back from Seasons in AFRICA we are confirmed for all dates including the 4th night at Leopard Hills.

FIRST TIMERS PLEASE NOTE:
For first timers I do suggest you stick with 6 or 7 nights and not get too bogged down and confused with all these options.

If you cant tell Marc and Arlene really love those game drives. For MOST peoople (excluding Marc and myself and probably a few other ROARERS who just cant get enough of safari and game drives) SIX nights is perfect, SEVEN is fine but EIGHT (particularly at only two camps) is too long.

Ngaire, is Lion's Sand different enough to constitute for another camp. 3 days Madikwe/3 days Leopard Hills/2 days Lion's Sand?

How much is Lion's Sand?

3 + 3 here..don't think want that 4 day CT maybe less? Or was that already decided??Oh whatever..
yippee this is ROARING GOOD FUN!!!!

Yes, I think Lion Sands will feel different enough Andi, every time you change camps the experience feels new. 2007 rates actually about the same price as Leopard Hills. Lion Sands continues their off season rates through Sept 30 so that helps. About $950 a night per person.

Remember you will have to stay 2 nights so that means another $1800 per person but if you were going to spend $950 at Leopard Hills I think this would be a better option. EXCEPT - Remember you also have to pack up and move again. It is about 1 1/2 hours road transfer but moving is always a pain. Just thought I would point that out.

Also these prices are based on 2007 I am not sure that Lion Sands will honor that I would have to email them to be sure.

Thanks....good thoughts...

Gary: Eight days of game camps rocks!
Anne: Eight days of game camps is too much!

Count us for 3 and 3 nights. Thanks, Ngaire. Your posts are so helpful for those of us newbies!

Donna, I am SO glad to hear you and Alan will be with us! You're gonna LOVE IT!

Greg & I are officially signed up! We're waitlisted at Leopard Hills and confirmed at Madikwe, but it sounds like we have a good chance at clearing the waitlist. This is SO exciting and new and different for us - I am glad we are doing it right and going with the pro's!

Ngaire, which lodge at Lion Sands? It looks like there are two lodges.

Kristin - that is good news! Look forward to meeting you. Hope you are settling into Desert Hot Springs. Shall I bring my Vikings hat and you can represent Green Bay? We'll have the midwest covered!

Cheers, Anne